FR
EN
QUESTION 118
Good evening, Papa Henri. I have a problem that has been weighing on my heart for a while. I am a young man, 25 years old, still a student, and I am already thinking about starting my married life, because I truly wish to live a happy marriage. Yet I find it hard to meet a girl with whom I can build this project. In fact, all those I meet and hold in esteem, and with whom I would like to share this project, very often tell me that they do not want to, or simply want to be my friends in the strictest sense of the word. Curiously, it has happened several times that I put a great deal of energy into getting them to change their minds, but in the end I always find myself much more hurt. In the end, I no longer know whether I should keep believing in love. Thank you, Papa.
ANSWER
You do well to begin thinking about marriage. Most young people who think about marriage want to live a happy union, because God instituted marriage for the happiness of man and woman, even though today most people speak of a 'necessary evil'. You must therefore keep praying for this. On the other hand, I often regret that many young women only trust men who deceive them. Afterwards they bitterly regret it. Whereas you are a serious young graduate! Do not worry! It is also a sign that you have not yet met the one who is right for you. Only, do not settle for an easy girl, otherwise you too may end up with the wrong girl. On the other hand, you must not be in too great a hurry to propose marriage to a girl: first live a normal friendship without her knowing what you want. True marriage is founded on friendship. 'A faithful friend is a sure shelter; whoever finds one has found a treasure. A faithful friend is beyond price; his worth is beyond measure. A faithful friend is an elixir of life; those who fear the Lord will find one' (Sirach 6:5-17).
Henri Bayemi
